Into the Wild (2021-02-21, Lent, 1st Sunday)

February 21, 2021 –  Lent , 1^st Sunday  (Year B)

●● Genesis 9:8-15  ●●  Psalm 25 ●●

1 Peter 3:18-22 ●● + Mark 1:12-15 ●●

 [__01__]   There is a particular detail about the Genesis reading this Sunday and a particular detail about the Gospel this Sunday that are related.

          In both readings, particular mention is being made of wild animals, even birds, and animals that are considered “tame” (like cats and dogs) and animals that are truly wild in the wilderness (like bears).

          We read in the book of Genesis that Noah had taken the animals with him on the ark to preserve and save them as a part of creation.  

          And, in the Gospel, Jesus goes out into the wild, and he is among the wild animals.

 

[__02__]   What can we learn here about our faith and about God’s love for us …through the importance of animals.

          I’d like to touch on 3 ideas that we learn about  “RESPECTING”, about “RECEIVING”  and about “REDEEMING”.

          Jesus is our REDEEMER, but he is also one who respects us and receives us.

          I’d like to touch on some things we know about animals and the mind of animals and why God would respect and care so much about making his covenant to include both the animals and you and me.

[__03__]     1^st. RESPECT. 

          There is a college professor and researcher that you may have heard of called Dr. Temple Grandin.

          Temple Grandin has been working in the field of animal science and animal psychology for many decades and has spoken a lot about the importance of respect for animals. In fact, she is an authority on the humane treatment – and respect we are called to have for animals. And, she once gave a lecture called: “Animals Make Us Human”.

          Certainly, in our own families and homes, many of learn about loyalty and responsibility and dedication by taking care of a family dog or family cat or both.

          Moreover, many of us who live on our own rely on the companionship of a beloved animal in the midst of solitude.

          Animals teach us something about RESPECT for all life and for life which is defenseless against human agency and human decisions.

          Certainly, what we learn about caring for animals can teach us much about the importance of caring for the defenseless person who is sick among us, the defenseless elderly person …or the defenseless unborn.

          Jesus goes among the animals to among the defenseless.

          And, we can learn about his decision to be vulnerable in this way as a mark of his respect for all of us.

          That’s my “RESPECTING” section.

          I’d like to talk about “RECEIVING“

 [__04__]    2^nd.  RECEIVING.

          In the life of the animals among us, we learn something about receiving and perceiving of others.

          One of things that makes Temple Grandin such a distinct and exceptional researcher is not only her scholarship but also her background.        Temple Grandin, today a Ph.D. and college professor and acclaimed expert in the field, is also on the autistic spectrum, having been born with and lived with autism her entire life. 

          But, it is her autism – she attests – that also gives her a gift of receiving and perceiving that others miss out on.

          One of Temple Grandin’s messages to the world is that “The World Needs All Kinds of Minds” (TED talk, video).

          Temple Grandin observers a connection between children who are on the autistic spectrum and their ability to understand animals. Temple herself experienced this and finds that parents come up to her with the same observation.

          Temple says, “Sometimes parents tell me that their nonverbal child – their child who is not yet speaking – has an almost telepathic ability to connect with the family dog.”

          Temple explains to such parents it’s not that your child is choosing to communicate with the dog rather than with you, but rather that many nonverbal children are observing subtle body postures and changes in the dog’s behavior that other people do not notice.

          In other words, the person with the autistic mind can receive and perceive what others cannot.

          And, part of this is the ability to think and perceive in pictures – without words.

          Jesus goes among the animals, makes his covenant with those who are without words, as well as with those who have words. He receives all of us.

 

[__05__]    3^rd. REDEEMING.

          Jesus comes among us to teach us about respecting, about receiving and also about redeeming.

          He comes us as our redeemer, our savior.  What does that word “redeem” mean? We use it often associated with gift certificates or credit card points, we “redeem”  what we have, meaning that we “buy back” something of value.

          Jesus is our redeemer because he gives his life to buy us back, bring us back.

          And, he does this – first and foremost – by becoming one us, becoming defenseless.

          He is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the lamb who substitutes himself for us.

          He receives us.

          He redeems us.

He goes into the wild, the desert, among the wild animals to renew the covenant with all of us. The Kingdom of God is at hand, Repent and believe in the Gospel.

[_fin_]